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Georgia House passes bill to boost speed limit on urban interstates

ATLANTA | The Georgia House of Representatives voted 157-7 Monday to allow the speed limit to be raised to 70 mph on interstate highways in metropolitan areas with a population of 50,000 or more.

The measure, House Bill 774, now goes to the Senate. The current maximum speed limit in metro areas with a population greater than 50,000 is 65 mph, a holdover from the 1973 gasoline shortage when the maximum speed limit nationally dropped to 55 mph, with gradual increases in recent years.

A traffic study is required before the speed limit can be raised in any given metropolitan area, according to the sponsor, Rep. Sam Watson, R-Moultrie.

Among those voting “no” on the bill were Reps. Jeff Chapman, R-Brunswick, and Jason Spencer, R-Woodbine. Spencer said there was no coordination in their opposition, although they are among the most conservative members of the House.

His concern was about another provision in the bill which would raise from $20,000 to $200,000 the size of contracts that cities and counties can enter into without seeking bids.